Jimenez takes shutout streak to 221/3 innings

Wednesday

Carlos Gonzalez finished a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Even he was in awe of teammate Ubaldo Jimenez.

“He’s one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball right now,” Gonzalez said.

Jimenez extended his scoreless streak to 221/3 innings with six shutout innings and the Colorado Rockies routed the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-1 last night.

Jimenez’s scoreless innings streak is the longest in franchise history by a starter. The previous record was 20 set by Denny Neagle in 2002 and matched by Franklin Morales in 2007. He has not allowed a run in his last three outings, starting with his no-hitter against Atlanta on April 17, the first in club history.

Jimenez (5-0) also is the first Rockies pitcher to have a five-win April, and his 13 wins since Aug. 1, 2009, are the most in the majors.

Against the Diamondbacks, Jimenez struck out six, walked two and allowed two hits in six innings. His ERA for the season is 0.79.

“He’s just in command of his delivery when he’s out there,” Colorado manager Jim Tracy said.

RAYS OFF TO BEST START: The best start in baseball truly has been a team effort.

Pitching and defense drives Tampa Bay most nights, although the Rays also have a persistent offense that leads in the AL in runs and tops the major leagues with a .323 batting average with runners in scoring position.

The player delivering crucial hits changes nightly.

“If you look at us in general. That’s what we’ve been all about,” Manager Joe Maddon said after Pat Burrell’s three-run homer keyed Tuesday night’s 8-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics.

No. 9 hitter Reid Brignac also homered, helping the Rays match a club record for wins through April.

The AL East leaders improved baseball’s best record to 15-5. The victory total equals the number they had at the end of April two years ago, when they were 1-0 in March and 14-12 in April.

STRASBURG SHINES AGAIN: The World Series-winning closer was overshadowed by the phenom.

Stephen Strasburg pitched five no-hit innings in his fourth professional start and drove in the game’s only run as the Double-A Harrisburg Senators blanked the Reading Phillies 1-0 last night.

Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge, a World Series hero in 2008, was making a rehab appearance for Reading, but Strasburg stole the show.

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